Crimeupdated 1h ago2 min read
Eric Lewis Kills Philadelphia Officer Shane Seiber in West Philadelphia Shooting
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Officer Shane Seiber, 40, died after ambush shooting in West Philadelphia. Suspect identified as 35-year-old Eric Lewis by authorities.
11 outlets told this the same way.
Ambush on North 52nd
A gunman opened fire on two Philadelphia police officers early Saturday morning in West Philadelphia, killing Officer Shane Seiber and wounding another officer, officials said. Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said Seiber was shot three times and died at the hospital, and Bethel said the other officer was shot 12 times and was in stable condition. District Attorney Larry Krasner identified the suspect on Saturday afternoon as 35-year-old Eric Lewis, and Krasner said Lewis was facing charges including Murder and Homicide of a Law Enforcement officer in connection with Seiber's killing.
“Officer Shane Seiber, 40, a 10-year veteran of the force, died at the hospital after being shot three times.”
Police were dispatched to the 100 block of North 52nd Street shortly after 12:20 a.m. for a report of a man with a gun on a porch, and officers arrived around 30 minutes later and were shot soon after stepping onto the porch. Bethel said the suspect took off down an alleyway and shot multiple times at other officers, who were not hit, before police recovered two handguns and a shotgun.
Charges and custody
District Attorney Larry Krasner said Eric Lewis is facing a list of charges in connection with Seiber's killing, including Murder, Homicide of a Law Enforcement officer and multiple weapons offenses.
Krasner said Lewis was also being charged with attempted murder for shooting at nine other officers who were not struck, and Krasner said Lewis was being charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting the officer who was injured.
Mayor Cherelle Parker said the officers were badly wounded and urged the public to pray for the officers, and Parker also said she was seeking legislation that would expand involuntary commitment laws.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered U.S. and state flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Seiber, and Shapiro said, "They put their lives on the line every day, running towards danger to keep their fellow Pennsylvanians safe."
Police said the suspect was eventually arrested after police pulled him from a tree, and officials said police recovered three guns from the scene, including two handguns and a shotgun.
Family, officials, and next steps
Kevin Bethel said Seiber leaves behind a 7-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter, and Bethel said Seiber's wife and other family members were able to be by his side before he passed.
“‘A wife is now without her husband [and] two babies are without their father,’ Parker said at a news conference.”
Mayor Cherelle Parker said, "A wife is now without her husband. Two babies are without their father," and Parker said city officials were communicating with Seiber's family.
WHYY said officers received a call at 12:22 a.m. about a man with a gun on a porch at 140 N. 52nd St., and Bethel said officers arrived on scene 30 minutes later and were met with "significant gunfire."
WHYY reported that the suspect fired at officers additional times and that the department's SWAT team responded to contain the suspect, who was found in a tree and apprehended.
CBS News reported that Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner is expected to share an update on the case at 3:45 p.m., and Bethel said the investigation was ongoing.